Hochstein Music FUNdamentals Faculty - Barb Bonisteel

Instrument/Department: Music FUNdamentals

Joined Hochstein Faculty in: 2001

“Miss Barb,” as she is affectionately known by children and parents, has dedicated her career to bringing the joy of music to children and their families. An early childhood music teacher for more than 30 years, Bonisteel received her degree in Music Education from Humber College of Applied Arts in Ontario, Canada.

Her expertise is in early childhood music. She has Level I Orff certification through the Eastman School of Music, and her early childhood training and certification is through Music Rhapsody, Music Together and Kindermusik, all highly regarded Early Childhood music training programs. She has been a member of Hochstein’s faculty since 2001, and also teaches at the Penfield, Pittsford, and Perinton recreation centers. When she is not teaching, she also works for the Rochester Regional Health System.

She developed her own Music to Grow program for ages 18 months through 5 years, which is the basis for many of the classes she teaches today. She loves cycling and running (having completed two half marathons), reading and walking the shore lines collecting beach glass.

She and her husband, Tom, live in West Irondequoit. They have three grown children and two granddaughters who share her love of music, participating in Hochstein’s Singers and Little Singers programs.

2018 Faculty Service Award

The Faculty Service Award was first given in 1990 to recognize the contributions of outstanding faculty members to the work of the Hochstein School. Nominations are solicited from the entire faculty, from a list of those who have completed at least five years of teaching at Hochstein.

Barb Bonisteel is the recipient of the 2018 Faculty Service Award. Hochstein President & Executive Director Margaret Quackenbush said, “As a longtime member of our Music FUNdamentals faculty, Barb has been an incredibly dedicated and beloved educator of our very youngest students and their caregivers, inspiring many families to continue their children's continuing music education right here at Hochstein all through their school years.”